Now prepaid smart meters will be installed on taking a new electricity connection in UP. In this regard, the Electricity Corporation has issued instructions to the directors of all electricity distribution corporations.
This will make taking a new electricity connection expensive. After this order, opposition to electricity connection with smart meters has started in the state. The Consumer Council itself has raised many questions. They say that how will a poor consumer pay the fee for the new connection. This is a burdensome task.
As per the UPPCL directives, new electricity connections will be given only with smart meters. With the implementation of this new order, the connection charges have increased by almost six times, making it a burden for common consumers, especially the poor. Earlier the cost of one kilowatt connection was Rs 1032, which has now increased to Rs 6166 with smart meters. Similarly, the cost of 5 kilowatt connection has been increased from Rs 7075 to Rs 15470. Consumers say that the permission of the regulatory commission was not even taken for this increase.
The Electricity Consumer Council has opposed this decision. It has termed this decision as a conspiracy against consumers. The council has also filed a public interest motion in the Regulatory Commission against the order to provide connections with smart meters. Apart from this, it has also raised questions over the Rs 100 crore tender issued for purchasing meters and has alleged that this process is against the norms of transparency.
The Consumer Council says that how will the poor and middle class people be able to pay such a huge amount, when it has now become very expensive compared to the previous connection fee. The Council has demanded from the state government and UPPCL that the new order be suspended with immediate effect and the fee be brought down to a reasonable level.
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